As California teachers were experiencing an unprecedented amount of change , it was essential to provide support and the opportunity to build their capacity . We immediately wrote those supports into our LCAP . We provided instructional coaches and ongoing professional development . We are providing whole group , small group , one-on-one , and on-demand individualized professional development . Our teachers have the opportunity and flexibility to learn alongside their peers at a time of their choosing , or learn on a Sunday morning with a cup of coffee .
We have invested in instructional coaches and a professional learning platform , Kyte Learning . So , from designated to integrated ELD to Google Hangout , in Romoland if you want to learn , the opportunity exists . This approach has provided our teachers and principals the support they need to manage the numerous shifts in the California educational landscape .
District results
In just over the three-year period beginning our journey on whole system reform we have experienced many positive outcomes , both quantitative and qualitative . The data we provided begins with the 2012-13 school year and goes through 2015-16 . The number of English learners progressing one California English Language Development Test ( CELDT ) level , as measured by Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives ( AMAO ) 1 , has increased from 53.5 percent to 59.2 percent and the English learner reclassification rate improved from 4.8 percent to 15.7 percent .
While only having two years of California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress ( CAASPP ) data , our outcomes for all students improved in both ELA and math , along with increases for socio-economically disadvantaged students , special education students , foster youth and redesignated fluent English proficient students . We have had a reduction in chronic absenteeism , and our suspension incidents have decreased from 200 incidents to 122 , despite enrollment growth at every school .
Qualitatively , our staff morale is at an all-time high , as evidenced by the awarding of Top Workplace in Riverside County ( determined by a staff survey ), and witnessing our teachers volunteer their time to serve on various learning groups , such as our Blended Learning Cohort , Ed Tech Forum and writing cadre .
We will continue with our whole-system approach and work daily to provide the best educational experience for all of our students .
Resources
• Robert J . Marzano and Timothy Waters ( 2009 ). “ District Leadership that Works .” Solution Tree Press .
Trevor Painton is assistant superintendent , Educational Services in Romoland School District . Julie Vitale , Ph . D . is superintendent of Romoland SD . # LeadershipMatters May | June 2017 13